The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-10-13
l. BLINKEY" MORGAN.
CASE CALLED.
Smiling and Serene, he Asks
the Court to Assign Counsel.

Cn6 OOurG 10 ASSlSu OOClAStl'
Monday morning, Oct. 10th, at 1l.SO
, o'clock, the Common Pleas Court OF
Portage County, Judge J. r. Johnston
: presiding, was regaled by the presence
of Charles Morgan, alias "Blinkey,"
who, being brought in by the Sherlh
and deputies, presented an appearance
quite striking. Dressed in bran new
suit of clothes, shining white shirt and
high collar, adorned by white clerical
tie. shaved clean except his upper lip,
: which was adorned with hirsute ap'
pendage of mammoth proportions, iron
gray in color. He wore plain, steel
bowed spectacles, and ELECTED favora-
bile comment as to his general get up.
Upon the calling of his case, Attorney
Sam Eddy of Cleveland, addressed the
Court saying, in effect, that Mr.. Nor
J gan had been disappointed in securing
counsel in his own behalf, and re-
quested the Court to assign such. The
Court then addressed Morgan, asking
him if he desired counsel assigned for
reason stated. Thereupon, Morgan, in
a voice at once musical and impressive
said that owing to his confinement, no
personal opportunity was had by him
| to procure assistance, and he therefore
requested the Court to assign Messrs.
Eddy, of Cleveland. and J. II. Nichols
of Ravenna as his attorneys: which
the Court did. 1t now being near
noon it was suggested by Mr.. Eddy
that further proceedings be suspended
uill after dinner, to allow counsel to
consult with defendant. Court was
then adjourned till l.30 p. m. The
court room was crowded.
Promptly at 1.30 Court reeonvened |
with every available space occupied |
by spectators. The " Ostrasized Press
gang" were distributed literally about |
the room. The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Leader, Press, Ravenna Republican,
Democratic Press, Associated Press,
and Cincinnati Enquirer were repre-.
sented.
After Court was opened Mr.. Eddy
aAOoC anu dob GU SAlC SouAO " PosePSASl
the case, owing to the absence of ma
terial witnesses for the defense, who
were scattered through various States,
much of whose testimony must be
taken by deposition by authority Of
this Court. He asked the Court to
therefore "pass" the case until such
time as preparation could be made,
suggesting 80 days.
Prosecutor Maxson replied, opposing
the motion for delay, reciting various
facts in the case, stating that since the
arrest of Morgan the State had at al
times been ready to get testimony. pre-
cure depositions, &C., and made
strong plea for the trial to proceed at
this. time, stating further, that Mr..
Eddy had agreed positively to try the
case Oct 10th. The State ha at all
times been ready to try this case since
the arrest of defendant, and that Mr..
Eddy had not given a single name, nor
the residence of a single witness that
was needed.
MIR. Eddy made another plea for
delay, rehearsing the details of the in
ability of the prisoner to prepare his
defense, he not being allowed to see
single relative or friend.
Mr.. Nichols supplemented Mr.. Ed
dy's appeal by an urgent plea for
further delay, reminding the Prose
cuI or that the treasury was open to
him to prepare his case. but the defense
had no resources. Mr. Nichols spoke
at some length, making as much of his
as it was possible to make
Judge Johnston then reviewed the
ing them that at the first arraignment
Mr.. Morgan said that he had counsel,
the same, indeed, that the Court has
now assigned. Did not think counsel
for defense had shown that due dill.
gence had been used on their part,
thought statement in writing should
be submitted showing what the de-
fense expected to show, and by whom,
thus allowing the Court to determine
the materiailness of the evidence.
Mr.. Eddy again arose and submitted !.
that they ought not to be made to show
in detail what their delinquent wit I.
nesses would swear to. He intimated
that an abb was expected to
be proven, and quoted from Georgia
report to sustain his case. He spoke !
thirty minutes, rehearsing the excite :
ment attending this case, giving this
as an additional reason for the delay in
securing witnesses.
Prosecutor Maxson asked that the
Court proceed. His Honor directed
the trial to go on, not being able to see
that any injustice had been done the
Application for postpone.
ment refused. q
Mr.. Eddy then appealed for delay of q
two days, which was finally granted, {
and the case was passed until Thurs. Z
day morning, at 8 O'Clock. II
The stalwart forms of Judge Hutch,
ins, of Cleveland, Hon. John Nc
Sweeney, of Wooster, the mild coun-
tenance of Prosecutor Hadden, of Guy
ahoga county, and our own Siddall,
made up group of counsel noticed by G
the handsome representatives of the [
" press' and Court Stenographers, as
they folded their papers and umbrellas g
and silently stole away. &